Schumer: Foiled Terror Plot Spotlights DHS Woeful Neglect for Developing Screening Technology - New Revelations Expose Serious Lag in Planning
Schumer: Foiled Terror Plot Spotlights DHS Woeful Neglect For Developing Screening Technology - New Revelations Expose Serious Lag In Planning
Because of Budget Shortfalls, All of Checked Baggage Won't Even Be Screened Properly Until 2024; Over Half Of Funds Meant for Liquid Explosives R&D Reallocated Elsewhere
DHS Deserves Plaudits For Immediate Response to London Terror Plot, But Long-term Planning Severely Lagging
Senator: Foiled Terror Plot Should Trigger Accelerated Plan for Research, Development, and Deploymen
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Department of Homeland Security to accelerate its plan for deploying explosive detection systems in all U.S. airports. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Schumer also called the Department's decision to cut spending on research and development of functional detection devices for liquid explosives a major error in judgment.
"It is absolutely stunning that five years after 9/11, the federal government still expects us to wait another eighteen to have all airports able to properly screen baggage," Schumer said. "If last week's foiled terror plot was not a wakeup call to jumpstart our screening technology, then I don't know what is. Putting money meant for research toward screeners is just robbing Peter to Paul. We cannot play a shell game with national security."
At a June 29, 2006 House Aviation Subcommittee hearing, Cathleen Berrick, Director of Homeland Security programs for the Government Accountability Office, testified that "resources have not been made available to fund these systems on a large-scale basis." The TSA estimates that under current investment levels, installation of Explosive Detection System (EDS) at all US airports will not be completed until 2024. The GAO cites a lack of priority and inadequate investment for the delay in implementation.
EDS is widely acknowledged to be the most efficient means of screening luggage for explosives. Rather than relying on swabbing for traces of explosives, it uses x-ray technology to determine that an explosive material is present. EDS x-rays can also be integrated into airport baggage conveyor systems, creating less crowding and fewer safety hazards in airport lobbies and check-in counters. Ultimately, the implementation of EDS will save time, money, and manpower: TSA estimated that EDS machines could save the federal government $1.3 billion dollars over just seven years. However, at the current funding levels, EDS will not be widely implemented for another 18 years. Currently, only 24 U.S. airports have EDS integrated into their baggage conveyors.
In his letter, Schumer expressed grave concern over the lack of research and development for detection devices for liquid explosives. Although experts have known about the potential threat of liquid explosives for years, there has been very little progress in the development of technology to help defend against attacks of this kind. Published reports have revealed that in 2003, DHS redirected more than half of $110 million set aside for research and development to pay for personnel costs.
"The Department of Homeland Security tends to be penny wise and pound foolish," Schumer said. "There is always a lot of attention when reacting to a known terrorist threat, but we should also be looking at investments over the long term."
Schumer has also helped lead the charge to increase spending on air cargo screening. In December of 2004, Senators Schumer, Rockefeller, Hollings, Snowe, Lautenberg successfully added an amendment on air cargo screening to the Intelligence Authorization Bill. The Amendment authorizing $702 million for air cargo screening was agreed to by unanimous consent last summer. Schumer also proposed an Amendment on the floor of the Senate to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, allocating $302 million for air cargo screening. The Amendment failed 45-53.
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=261791&&year=2006&